Letter to the editor

Where history holds a back seat

To the editor:

I have read with interest but not surprise of the proposal set forth by some of our new county legislators that would adversely affect our county historian archivist. For over 65 years I have watched the Montgomery County Department of History and Archives and those who staffed it. All too often the history of our area has held a back seat, often purely because of politics.

It might be well if we remember that what went before us is much the same as the foundation of a structure. Without that foundation, the building is found to be weaker. The department has sometimes come close to being dissolved -- something which would have been tragic to those whose ancestry comes back to this historic area. I have known well those who were county historians. All too often, as the winds of politics changed, so did those who held that position. Unfortunately, many of us who were involved in historic preservation sat back and said very little or nothing.

I cannot say that any of the past appointees were bad people, but I believe I can say that some did not belong in that position. I do hope that our present historian, Kelly Yacobucci Farquhar, and the staff and volunteers are encouraged and allowed to retain their positions. They have done a superb job and I am sure will continue to do so if they receive the consideration they so justly deserve from the new legislation.